Thomas e



(No Model.)

T. E. GOULD.

. Bill and LetterPile v0r Holder.

No. 234,6 6?. Patented Nov 23,1880.

WITNESSES n lNVENTOR N. PETERS. PHDTOLITHOGRAPHER.,WASHINGTOH. n c.

THOMAS E. GOULD, OF WILLIAMSBURG, NEW YORK.

BILL AND LETTER FILE OR HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,667, dated November 23, 1880,

Application filed May 19, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THoMAs E. GOULD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Williamsburg, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bill and Letter Files or Holders; and'I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved bill and letter file or holder, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, taken on a line with and through one of the clamps.

This invention contemplates improvements in bill and letter files or holders, having for its object to utilize the whole space between the backs or covers ot'the file or holder and to eifect the filing ot'the papersto the greatest possible advantage; and it consists of two flexiblyconnected covers or backs, one with side cleats or pieces and two sunk clamps arranged at the rearor inner end, near the sides thereof, and the other with a central sunk clamp at the rear end of the cover or back, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Refcrrin g to the drawings, A A indicate the backs or covers of the file or holder, of some stifi' material card board, leather board, or even of thin pieces of wood or veneer, if desiredwhich are connected together by a flexible back, B. The back or cover A has side cleats or strips, a a, which inclose the letters, bills, or papers at the side edges, and serve to prevent too great compression of the contents and to give shape to the parts when closed.

I) Z) are two clamps, sunk in mortises or slots 0 0 in the cover or back A, and arranged at the rear edge and one at or near each side of the cover or back, while the other cover, A, is provided with a single similar clamp, 11, likewise let into a mortise or slot, 0, in the cover, and

(N0 model.)

arranged at about the middle of the rear edge thereof, to be out of the way of the clamps on the cover A.

This arrangement of the clamps, it will be noticed, permits of each cover serving as a holder for the letters or bills, thus increasing the holding capacity of the same, while one clamp, or rather the clamp on one cover, will not interfere with the clamps on -the other cover when the covers are closed. This arran gement further enables the clamping or filing of the letters or bills to the greatest pos sible advantage and utilizes the whole space between the covers. With the clamps sunk in the surface of the covers space is economized and the clamped portion of the letter or bill carried below said surface, which ettects the more secure holding of both the clamps and the letters or bills.

The clamps may be of any suitable construction, and are capable of operation by simply bearing with the thumb or finger downward upon their outer ends, which will effect the opening of their jaws to permit of the insertion of the letter or bill it is desired to file away between them. By releasing the depressed ends of the clamps their jaws will spring down upon and clamp or secure the inserted portion of the letter or bill, and thus retain it in place between the covers.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent A letter and bill file or holder composed of the flexibly-connected covers A A, provided one with sunken clamps b 1), arranged at the rear edge, at or near the side edges thereof. and the other provided with also a sunken clamp, I), disposed at or about the middle of the rear edge of the cover, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS EDGAR GOULD.

Witnesses:

B. F. BOYD, MARY E. Born. 

